Organic product obtained from molasses and molasses residues



Patented Oct. 9, 1934 liCiE ORGANIC PRODUCT on'rAmsn FROM MOLASSESJANDMOLASSES RESIDUES Eugenio Antonio Vazquez, Habana, Cuba N0 Drawing.Application January 24, 1933,

Serial No. 653,289. In

8 Claims.

This invention relates to the production of a material suitable for usein the manufacture of bricks, building tiles and the like from theresidue of organic substances obtained from the treatment of sugar canemolasses or beet molasses.

In my copending application, Serial Number 639A86. filed October 25,1932, I have described and claimed a process for the treatment of sugarcane molasses or beet molasses whereby the organic acids, fats, Waxesand other substances constituting the impurities of the molasses areseparated therefrom and the residue then treated to separate the sugarsfrom the salts contained therein. As disclosed and claimed in saidappliication, the'solution'first removed from the molasses containingthe organic acids and other impurities can be used in the manufacture ofalcohol or useful organic substances may be extracted therefrom. I havenow found that this material may be solidified and treated in variousways to produce a product useful in the manufacture of bricks, tiles orother molded products.

In carrying out the present invention, the sugar cane molasses or beetmolasses containing substantial amounts of unextracted sugarincombination and admixture with organic salts, coloring matter and othercompounds in concentrated form is first treated as disclosed in my saidprior application to separate the organic acids and other organic andinorganic compounds from .95 percent strength) an organic compound,which is a non-solvent of sugars and miscible in the alcohol andsulphuric acid. The organic solvents which I employ are preferably ethylacetate and benzene. In addition to these many others may be used. I mayemploy any of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons,aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, esters, aliphatic acids and acidderivatives. As stated, the solvent or solvents chosen should bemiscible in alcohol and must be a non-solvent of the sugars andinorganic salts present in the molasses. They must also be good solventsof the other organic constituents of the molasses. In some instancesacetone and glycerine can be used in combination with the other solventsmentioned above. The

Cuba' September 15,

molasses at a temperature of from to F. is treated with an equal weightof alcohol mixed with about 5 percent sulphuric acid and 12 per 1 centethyl acetate based on the weight of the original-molasses. The amountof alcohol used depends in part on the amount-of water contained in themolasses. The solventsare added to the molasses and the mixture isagitateduntila uniform mass is obtained. This gradually separates into adark liquid portion containing the dissolved organic acidsand'othercompounds forming the impurities of the molasses. Theundissolved sug-'- arsand inorganic salts remain as a pasty and heaviermass. The liquid portion, which is used in making the product ofthepresent invention,

is separated from the undissolved sugars and inorganic salts bydecanting or otherwise, and concentrated by evaporation. The mass ofsugars and inorganic salts are-washed with alcohol to remove any tracesof the solvent therefrom and this wash liquor is mixed with the decantedsolution and concentrated. This decanted liquor,

which is dark in color, may be concentrated until it practicallysolidifies into a mass after-cooling and the solvents usedin'the-treatment have'been substantially recovered. In carrying out thepresent invention the concentrated product so ob tained may be treatedin several ways. It may be heated to a temperature of from C. to 120 C.for a relatively long time up to about 24 hours or to highertemperatures for shorter periods.

When so heated the mass is transformed with the evolution of gases intoa black resinoidal product. This product is hard, insoluble, infusibleand resistant to high temperatures. The extent of these acquiredproperties is dependent upon the temperature and length of time of theheat treatment. The temperatures must be low enough to preventvesiculation and should be applied for a sufiicient length of time totransform the material and give it the properties referred to above. Itmay then be ground and heated to remove any acid vapors that remain inthe mass.

The ground product may then be used as a filler in combination with-anyof the known binders for the production of molded products, such asbricks, tiles and the like.

The heavy syrup obtained by concentration may also be employed as abinder in admixture with the insoluble, infusible ground productreferred to above. By mixing the two in the proportions of about 25percent of the syrup and 75 percent of the ground product, a moldedproduct may be produced in the following manner. The mixture is placedin the molds and molded cold insulators and the like, may be obtained.The

molded products may be of any desired size and shape and may be largeenough for construction.

purposes, such as insulating bricks, blocks, slabs and the like;

. Likewise the concentratedsyrup used with other known fillersinste'adof theground product and molded to produce bricks, slabs'and thelike.

The black mass may also be treated with 'va riousmodifying agents, suchas phenol, formalder .hyde', casein, gelatin, ammonia, tung oi-l'andother drying oils, castor oil, shellac, cumaron resin,

stearine pitches, chlorinated aromatic hydrocare bons and other similarmaterials whereby the characteristics vof-cthe black.resinoidaljgproduct may be modified by suchtreatment. a i

Nvhile, I have described the invention as being applied to sugar canemolassesor'beet molasses; it may also be applied to residues of,molasses .which have been submitted to any treatmentifor the total-orpartial extraction of its sugars o,r

whichhas been submittedto fermentation,-for

he removal of various constituents .of the mo 'lasses.

1. A.process for treating acid liquorarichz-in organic "acids .and inesters, extracted from molasses,,through thegaction oi -a:;,mixtureo-fgsul. phuric acid, alcohol'and aneorganic'compound;miscible'in-alcohol' andnon-solvent of 's'ugars-andi inorganicsalts,whichjcornprises heating the-cone centr-ated-acid liquor. toforrrrahardnon-inflam mable, heat. resistant,-.. insoluble, .infusibla,resfusible resinoidalproduct.'

inoidal product.

2. A process for treating. acid liquor, rich organic acidsand' inesters, extracted frOmmo-j In this waylight -:re'sinoidal product,grinding said product, adding a binder thereto and molding the material.4; .Aresindidal product formed from acid liquor,

-molasses through the action of a mixture of sullasses, through theaction of a mixture of sulphuric acid, alcohol and ethyl acetate, which"comprises concentrating this liquor, heating the concentrated materialto form a hard, non-inflammable, heat resistant, insoluble, infusible,resinoidal product, grinding said product, and adding aibin'der thereto.p

3. A process for treatingacid liquor, rich in organic acids and inesters, extracted from m0- lasses, through the action of a mixture ofsul- "phuric acid, alcohol and ethyl acetate, which comprisesconcentrating this liquor, heatingthe concentrated material'to form ahard, non-in,- flammable, heat resistant, insoluble, infusible,

rich in'organicacids and in esters, extracted from phuric acid, alcoholand ethyl acetate, by concentrating said-liquor and heating it until itbecomes hard, insoluble and infusible, non-inflammable-andheat-resistant. r r

5. A binder comprising concentrated acid liquor, rich in organic acidsand in esters, ex-

tracted from-molasses through the action. of a mixture of sulphuricacid, alcohol and ethylacetate.-

- 6. The processor claim 3, wherein the material is molded underpressure and baked to provide heavy-compactunits;

V EUGENIO ANTONIO" VAZQUEZ.

